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Mitchell Johnson to return home

Left-arm pacer leaving early to prepare for Ashes, will miss series-deciding final ODI against India

Mitchell Johnson to miss the last ODI against India.

Mitchell Johnson has been released from Australia’s One-Day International squad in India and will fly back to Australia to prepare for the upcoming Ashes against England.

Johnson has been Australia’s best bowler in the series, with seven wickets at 33.42 and an economy rate of 5.68, and his good form has put him in the running for an Ashes spot.

Pat Howard, the Cricket Australia general manager of team performance, said the Board believed it was best Johnson return home and train for the longer format.

“Mitch has performed very well in India, however, we believe it is best for his preparation ahead of a busy summer to have him return home to increase his bowling loads in preparation for the Ashes Test window,” said Howard.

This means Johnson will be unavailable for the series-deciding final ODI in Bangalore on Saturday (November 2).